PLEASE NOTE:
Registration for the 2016-17 season is now closed.
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Volume 4 Issue 17 | January 4, 2017
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Over 800 Illinois Men & Women Are Playing
ACHA College Hockey!
Over the course of the 2016-17 season AHAI has been putting together a list of Illinois men and women playing beyond their high school years (NCAA, ACHA and Juniors). As we compiled these lists, we knew the number of men and women competing at the collegiate level was high, but over 1,000?! (1,081 to be exact). To say the number is staggering would be an understatement. Those numbers are a testament to the hard work these young athletes put into their craft and their desire to continue to play the greatest game on earth. The
266 Men and Women playing NCAA College Hockey
(published in the Dec. 7 issue) and 815 playing ACHA College Club Hockey (see below) shows the extraordinary opportunity that exists to keep playing beyond their high school years. Keep in mind, these numbers do not include the numerous kids playing men's junior hockey. Click
HERE
for list of NAHL players or
HERE
for a list of USHL players.
The buttons below represent the nearly 500 ACHA Club teams across the country. The young men and women rostered
* to these teams compete in leagues across the country at several different levels: Men's Division I, II and III and Women's Division I and II.
It is from the ACHA ranks that USA Hockey selects its USA representatives for the
Men's and
Women's World University Games. While ACHA may not get as much publicity as NCAA Division I and Division III, rest assured the level of hockey played is outstanding. Click
HERE to learn more about American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Hockey.
*The lists above were compiled from the ACHA team's website rosters. In some cases hometowns/states were not listed. If you or someone you know plays on an ACHA team and was not listed, please contact AHAI Communications Manager, Gretchen Cockey at gretchen@ahai2.org.
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AHAI recognizes that Illinois Hockey is comprised not only of incredible players, but also of great Boys'/Girls' High School and Youth/Girls' Hockey Coaches that guide our teams both on and off the ice. Candidates for AHAI's Boys'/Girls' High School and Youth/Girls' Hockey Coach of the Year Awards should embody good sportsmanship and respect toward teams, parents and officials while providing a positive High School or Youth/Girls' Hockey experience. Candidates should also teach positive life skills while demonstrating dedication, passion and commitment to community. Deadline to nominate is Saturday, February 18, 2017.
NOMINATE NOW>>
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AHAI'S NEW YEARS EVE GIRLS CROSS-ICE CLASSIC
On Saturday, December 31, 10 girls' teams converged on Seven Bridges Ice Arena for a fun day of cross-ice hockey. The competition was fierce, the fun was contagious, and comradery was in the air. Six 10U teams (Sabres 1, Sabres 2, Vipers, St Jude, Franklin Park 1 and Franklin Park 2) and four 12U teams (Sabres, Vipers, Admirals, and Hawks) jammed out at The Bridges playing 17 games in total. Each participant received a special SWAG bag with items provided by AHAI and the Chicago Blackhawks.
READ MORE>>
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10U CHAMPIONS
Sabres #1
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10U RUNNERS-UP
Sabres #2
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12U CHAMPIONS
Vipers
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12U RUNNERS-UP
Sabres
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DADS...IT'S YOUR TURN!
AHAI Moms had their night, now it's your turn! Join the A Step aHead concussion program for a fun Dads' Night at the United Center on January 18, 2017. We will present information on concussions, injury prevention and safe body checking. All of the dads will get to tour the Chicago Blackhawks locker room and weight room facilities. We will also raffle off four tickets to a Blackhawks game! This is a Dads only event. Complete details and Dads' Night registration information will be announced soon.
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2017 HIFE SCHEDULE
Registration Day for Hockey Is For Everyone (HIFE) will take place on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 beginning at 6:00pm until filled. Please note that registration will only be done in person at Oak Lawn Ice Arena - no phone or email registrations will be taken and spots will not be held or reserved. HIFE is an AHAI supported vehicle providing young athletes from socioeconomically diverse backgrounds the opportunity to use the sport of ice hockey to promote academic achievement, responsibility, respect, teamwork and good character. Click
HERE
for 2017 HIFE schedule and information.
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DECEMBER'S TOP 5 PHOTOS OF THE MONTH
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Your votes have been counted and the Top 5 Photos for December have been selected! Congratulations to our winners! Click HERE to view our 16 Finalists and visit AHAI's Facebook Page to see all photos submitted in December! Can't wait to see the photos submitted for January!
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Jason (#26) - Leafs Central States '04
"When You Suddenly Feel Outnumbered"
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Blake Brunetti (#77) - Chiefs Mite White Team
"Scanning the Ice"
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Jacob (G) & Tyler Skertich - Midwest Blackbirds Bantam 3
"Blackbird Brothers"
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Sabres Squirt AA
"Hockey Respect"
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Drew Meyers - Sabres Bantam 1
"Spirit of the Season"
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Time to send in those photos for January! Photos should include a brief caption along with player's name, their organization or club, and playing level. Submission deadline for the January Photo of the Month contest is Saturday, January 21st. Send photos to gretchen@ahai2.org. Good luck!
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2017 ILLINOIS STATE HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIPS
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Please click on the logos below to view State Tournament rules and information for each division. Click
HERE to view dates and locations for ALL State Tournament Divisions.
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HIGH SCHOOL
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GIRLS
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TIER I
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TIER II
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Tier II Coaches and Managers, please note that the
last day to register is Sat., January 7, 2017.
Going forward, the Tier I state tournament will be hosted by AHAI. This means the finals will be at the neutral site of West Meadows Ice Arena,
March 4
, 5 and 7 (if necessary). The round robin segment will remain the same featuring 3 games hosted by the named club the previous weekend,
February 23
, 25 and 26th.
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 MEN'S & WOMEN'S ADULT STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT
The AHAI Adult Committee is proud to present the 2017 Adult Illinois State Championship Tournament hosted by the AHAI Adult Committee and Seven Bridges Ice Arena.
The Adult State Tournament, which will take place April 26 - April 30, 2017.
For more information click HERE or contact Robert Fiorio, Tournament Director at rfiorio4@yahoo.com. REGISTER NOW>>
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USA HOCKEY & CENTRAL DISTRICT NEWS
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2017 USA HOCKEY/CENTRAL DISTRICT GIRLS
PLAYER DEVELOPMENT TRYOUTS
The Central District will host its annual Player Development Camp June 18-23, 2017. The camp will be held in Green Bay, WI and will include on-ice, dryland, classroom and team activities. All registered USA Hockey players that are USA citizens are eligible for an opportunity to attend this camp. Players born between 2000-2003 who tryout will be considered for an invitation to both the Central District development camp or one of USA Hockey's
development camps.
Any player interested in this opportunity
MUST
register and tryout. Registration will be online only and will open on February 1st and close on February 15th. READ MORE>>
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KRAFT HOCKEYVILLE USA
RETURNS FOR 3RD YEAR
Kraft Hockeyville™ USA is officially back and nominations are open to find America's most spirited and enthusiastic hockey communities. Towns across the U.S. can now contend for the coveted title of "Kraft Hockeyville™ USA 2017". Click
HERE for contest rules, information on nominating a community and complete program details. Nominate your community today!
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HOST A TRY HOCKEY FOR FREE EVENT ON FEBRUARY 25TH
Hockey Week Across America, will be highlighted by Try Hockey For Free Day on Saturday, February 25, 2017. Associations will introduce new kids between the ages of 4 and 9 to youth hockey for this season as well as capture interested families for the following season. Hurry deadline to register is January 11th!
MORE INFORMATION>>
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NEW TRIER GREEN CAPTURES HOLIDAY HOCKEY TITLE
The 23rd Annual Chicago Blackhawks Charities High School Hockey Classic recently took place December 26-29 at the Edge Ice Arena in Bensenville, Illinois. Quarter-final games featured Providence edging out Fenwick 2-0, Glenbrook North beating Glenbard 6-0, New Trier Green walloping Naperville Central 13-0 and CBC on top of New Trier Blue 6-2.
Semi-final games saw Providence outlast Glenbrook North 5-3 and New Trier Green over CBC 8-1 to set-up a very entertaining Championship game between Providence and New Trier Green. New Trier Green shut out Providence 4-0 to become the champions for 2016.
Click
HERE
for final tournament results.
All tournament proceeds benefit the Chicago Blackhawks Charities which supports amateur hockey as well as underprivileged and abused children.
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REBUILDING SEASON HAS KINGS OPTIMISTIC FOR FUTURE SUCCESS
By Ross Forman ~ It's been a rough go for the co-op Kings in the top-tiered, 11-team Champions League of the North-Central Division. In the team's first 14 games, the Kings are in last-place with a 1-11-2 record and have surrendered a league-leading 76 goals, which is 24 more than Crystal Lake South, which has allowed the second-most goals. By comparison, BG/H/W and Loyola Maroon lead the league, each having allowed only 31 goals so far - in 13 and 15 games, respectively.
But yes, there is still optimism on the Kings bench, especially for what the future holds. READ MORE>>
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ROSS FORMAN'S TOP 25
AS OF JANUARY 2, 2017
- New Trier Green
- Loyola Gold
- Providence Catholic
- Glenbrook North
- St. Rita
- Benet Academy
- BG/H/W
- Neuqua Valley
- Notre Dame
- New Trier Blue
Click HERE for complete list.
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METRO GIRLS LEAGUE SET TO KICK-OFF REGULAR SEASON
By Pam Flores ~ The second half of the season is set to kick off with teams in the Scholastic Cup and Founders Cup battling for a top position to advance to the league playoffs that wrap-up the Metro Girls League's season. Click
HERE for stats from the conclusion of the tiering round - including top scorers and goaltenders.
READ MORE for lots of pictures from Fenwick's Alumni Game, Latin's Toy Drive and the Unterseher sisters, Emma (Latin) and Kate (Evanston) battling it out in a head-to-head game on December 20th!
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CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS NEWS & INFORMATION
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LITTLE BLACKHAWKS LEARN TO PLAY PROGRAM TO LAUNCH IN SPRING
Little Blackhawks Learn to Play program is for 4-8 year olds who have prior skating knowledge and would like to try playing with full equipment for the first time. In partnership with the Chicago Blackhawks, NHL, NHLPA and Total Hockey participants receive the on-ice instruction from certified coaches and Blackhawks alumni, along with FREE Little Blackhawks branded gear. Click HERE to find a host rink near you and/or register.
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CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT 2016-17 OUTDOOR CLINICS
The Chicago Blackhawks are giving kids the opportunity to participate a in
FREE Learn to Play ice hockey clinic
! Use of skates and equipment will be provided at no cost. Some prior ice skating experience is required. All participants will receive a jersey to keep.
VIEW SCHEDULE>>
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ILLINOIS MOURNS THE LOSS OF NICK PAPANICHOLAS, SR.
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The Illinois hockey community wishes to express their sincere condolences to the family of Nicholas Papanicholas, Sr. of Mount Prospect, Illinois who passed away recently. Nick Sr. was the guiding force behind the building of the recently opened two-sheet ice facility in Mt. Prospect. Nick always had a vision to give back to the community and this was a chance to build the ice arena providing not only the hockey community but also the entire city of Mt. Prospect and surrounding communities with a state-of-the-art recreational facility. Nick Sr. was passionate about providing an opportunity for any youngster to play ice hockey, especially those kids with a disability. He made sure the ice rink was very accessible even putting in sled accessible boards.
READ MORE>>
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AHAI YOUTH HOCKEY NIGHT: HUSKIES VS. BILLIKENS
Mark your calendars for Friday, January 20th at 7:30pm at the Leafs Ice Centre! The NIU Huskies will take on the St. Louis Billikens. All AHAI players in their jerseys will get FREE admission to the game. The Blackhawks Ice Crew will also be making an appearance. Click
HERE for more information.
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CHICAGO MISSION GIRLS' PINK IN THE RINK
The Chicago Mission girls program, led by the under 19 team, is hosting its annual Pink in the Rink fundraiser on Saturday, January 21, 2017 at Seven Bridges Ice Arena. For more information about the event, sponsorship opportunities or to make a donation, please click
HERE
. For more information...
VIEW FLYER>>
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Copyright © 2017. All Rights Reserved.
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